seamar116, check out the magnificent trilogy by Eduardo Galeano called "Memories of Fire" - it is the whole history of Latin America from before Columbus to the 1980s when it was written.

But it is a unique book, like no other - it is in the form of very short vignettes - the story of this historical figure, of that government, of this community, a war here, a revolution there, the working conditions of an industry there. So you can't put it down. You have to go somewhere, work, do something else but you figure, "I can read one more short chapter and see what's next" and you keep reading.

Second, the writing is unbelievably good - the English translation is superb (so is the Italian translation for that matter) from the original Spanish and it reads like an epic poem in clear, simple language with structure of short bios and historical narratives.

Posted by italyprof on 3/25/2013 5:56:00 AM (view original):seamar116, check out the magnificent trilogy by Eduardo Galeano called "Memories of Fire" - it is the whole history of Latin America from before Columbus to the 1980s when it was written.

But it is a unique book, like no other - it is in the form of very short vignettes - the story of this historical figure, of that government, of this community, a war here, a revolution there, the working conditions of an industry there. So you can't put it down. You have to go somewhere, work, do something else but you figure, "I can read one more short chapter and see what's next" and you keep reading.

Second, the writing is unbelievably good - the English translation is superb (so is the Italian translation for that matter) from the original Spanish and it reads like an epic poem in clear, simple language with structure of short bios and historical narratives.

One the best books ever written.

italyprof,

I have Mirrors and Open Veins of Latin America. I am currently taking a class on the history of Latin America and about half way through. I will check out Memories of Fire, Thanks.

Williams book has been extremely readable...not at all pedantic and academic...although it is well sourced. I am enjoying it...not that I am looking forward to the paper that follows! I am especially intrigued by his critique of the abolitionist movement...pretty much shoots down any moral high ground by saying it was all about the Benjamins (not in so many words of course)

Yes, that movie "Amazing Grace" , about the British abolitionists, was just awful. The US abolitionists were a different thing - Douglass, Garrison, Tubman, Truth, Phillips, and John Brown were the real thing. No one has made a great film about that movement unfortunately which would be truly inspiring, though "Glory" and "Amistad" at least capture a little of what they stood for and fought for and also at least hint at the degree of commercial interest involved.

There is a great, devastating review of that film about British abolition by a historian friend of mine here: